The RamZone Wrap: 7th (In A Row) Heaven As Derby Down Donny
Sunday, 22nd Dec 2013 13:09 by Daniel J Sewart

The Rams have had more than their fair share of luck recently but even when it seemed to finally elude them, their work rate and quality shone through. Despite giving Doncaster every chance to at least steal a point, The Rams ended up comfortably taking the points.

With only one loss incurred by his team since he began his reign, Steve McClaren started the match with the same starting eleven from last weekend, including Chris Martin who shook off a training injury.

The game opened brightly as the Rams tried to impose themselves at home, while the visitors who have been struggling for most of the season, were determined to make their high flying hosts as uncomfortable as possible.

Try as they might, smothering the Rams was not going to be an easy task considering their current form and it only took 13 minutes for their plan to begin unravelling.

Luke McCullough's hesitated when trying to control a bouncing ball on the edge of his area which allowed a switched on Chris Martin time to mug him and smile smugly as he found a charging Jamie Ward who expertly put the ball in past Doncaster keeper Ross Turnbull, who was to say at the very least, very furious!

If Doncaster were going to get anything from the game, trying to smother, now they had gone behind, was never going to work. Instead they attacked and it nearly bore fruit when Richie Wellen’s shot curled unpredictably from distance, luckily for the Rams Lee Grant was able to push it out of harms way.

Former Ram Theo Robinson gave home fans the jitters every time he came near the ball and nearly turned jitters to tears before his goal bound shot was deflected over.

A knee injury to Richard Keogh when he fell awkwardly in the 25th minute, brought a premature end to his day as he was unable to continue and was replaced by Manchester United loanee Michael Keane.

Doncaster’s pressure had not produced an equaliser which allowed the home team to wrestle back control. That control looked to have once again paid off when the Rams were awarded a penalty, courtesy of an act of what was either stupidity or desperation (or a good portion of both!). McCullough barged into Chris Martin when he looked to be in on goal after receiving a superb defence splitting pass from Craig Bryson.

Martin stepped up to take the penalty himself and instead of putting the game past a Doncaster team that had only scored once in their last 5 away games, Turnbull guessed correctly and dived to his right to save the strike from the spot.

The Rams continued to huff and puff but could not add to their single goal in the first 45, in contrast their guests had put together some good play but their inability to capitalise on what was a good passing game with a goal was on display for all to see.

Opportunities lost for both sides but on the balance of play at half time the Rams were worth their lead.

HT: 1 — 0

Paul Dickov obviously pressed home that his team were still in the hunt during his half time team talk as his chargers looked up to the challenge and they instantly set about peppering Lee Grant.

Robinson continued to tease a continuation of the former Ram scoring curse but, much like his Rams career did well to make a chance, only to let himself down by finding the side of the net. Soon after he bobbed up again to barge through the Rams defence only to test the solidity of Lee Grant’s rib cage as his shot deflected off the Derby stopper.

Once again Doncaster’s inability to make hay while the sun shines, came back to haunt them when on 50 minutes Simon Dawkins raced onto the ball just outside the centre circle. He attacked the defence with a “come at me if you dare” run and come at him Doncaster did not. Instead they retreated only for Dawkins to punish them for their decision, when he let loose a shot from just outside the area which slid low past Turnbull.

The Rams looked likely to run away with proceedings as they smelt blood on the wind, Jamie Ward came closest during the hunt but was unlucky as he watched his effort graze the post.

Donny was given a crack of light through the closed door when Jake Buxton dealt with an attack by heading into his own goal on 64 minutes.

Whether Bucko was just trying to make the game interesting or perhaps had placed a flutter on the final scoreline, is something we may never know but sometimes these things happen and this is was one of those sometimes!

The goal rattled the Rams as over the next 10 minutes, they looked like a team who perhaps thought their luck had run out. Doncaster were coming and now they had drafted Bucko to their cause, perhaps with 12 men they could overrun the Rams?

Instead Derby withstood the onslaught and Jake remembered who was paying his wages in time to shore up the wall.

The ever — amazing Craig Bryson bobbed up to restore balance and remind his team mates they need not rely on luck when, like him, you can just produce tireless work rate and sublime skill.

In the 77th minute Bryson produced one of “those moments” that he is making a habit of accruing this season, when a clever pass from Martin released Bryson. The Scot exploded into the area unleashing a low, curling shot from just over 10 yards which found its way around Turbull’s and inside his left-hand post.

It was so well placed that you would have been forgiven if you thought Bryson had a remote control for the ball.

FT: 3-1

Donny’s strings were cut by the third goal and the Rams could have gone onto win by more, they did not but the damage was done.

At the full time whistle a point was proven.

That point?

The Rams can win with or without luck, with flair or by grafting.

Most importantly the Rams just keep winning — 7 times in a row in fact.

3 points off top spot and one of four teams starting to run away from the pack.

With two bottom half teams to come before the turn of the year, you feel things are just starting to take shape, a shape that for once will not eventually collapse.

The year of The Ram?

Why the hell not!

Bring on Boxing Day!!

Match Reaction:

We Said - Derby Head Coach Steve McClaren :

"I don't want to dampen expectations. I want there to be a buzz because that's what fans want but in the dressing room and the training ground, it's business as normal.”

"As long as we stay that way and keep our feet on the ground, we can continue winning but the time we get sloppy and think we've made it, this game has a habit of cutting your legs off.”

"It's a big concern [captain Richard Keogh's knee injury] because he's been terrific for us. He locked and jarred his knee but hopefully it's not too serious and we'll know more on Monday or Tuesday."

They Said — Doncaster Manager Paul Dickov

"That's two weeks running that we've played ever so well. We came to a team whose form shows they are the best in the division at the minute and really took the game to them and caused them problems.”

“Some of our football, especially in the second half, was top class. You talk about game defining moments and Theo [Robinson] was clean through and within seconds we are two nil down.”

“There are lots of positives, they are one of the best passing teams in this division and we have more than matched them and out-passed them at times.”

Match Stats — Derby / Doncaster:

Possession: 54% / 46%

Corners: 4 / 4

Shots (On Target): 12 (6) / 12 (4)

Fouls: 11 / 11

Yellow Cards: 0 / 0

Match Info:

Attendance: 26,314

Referee: Nigel Miller

Derby County: Grant (GK), Wisdom, Keogh (Keane 25), Buxton, Forsyth, Eustace (Hendrick 67), Hughes, Bryson, Dawkins, Ward (Russell 76), Martin.

Subs not used: Legzdins (GK), Bennett, Sammon, Cisse.

Goals: Ward (13’), Dawkins (50’), Bryson (78’)

Doncaster:Turnbull (GK), Quinn (Wakefield 67), Furman, Duffy, Brown (Macheda 41), McCullough, Khumalo, Woods (Forrester 57), Wellens, Robinson, Stevens.

Subs not used:Maxted (GK), Cotterill, De Val, Suk-Youn

Goals: Buxton (og - 64’)